wellcare

Wellcare is a United States health insurance brand that offers managed care products primarily for government-sponsored programs. The company historically provides Medicare Advantage plans for seniors and people with disabilities, Medicaid managed care plans, and prescription drug coverage through Part D, as well as certain marketplace offerings in various states. Through these plans, WellCare emphasizes care coordination, member services, and access to a network of doctors, hospitals, and ancillary providers.

Founded in 1985, WellCare expanded across multiple states as it grew its government-sponsored business. In 2020, WellCare was acquired by Centene Corporation, and the brand became part of Elevance Health, the parent company created through Centene's corporate branding strategy. Today, WellCare operates as a brand within Elevance Health, offering plans in states where government programs are administered and where the company has a presence.

Plans are regulated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for Medicare and by state insurance departments for other lines of business. Eligibility, enrollment periods, and subsidies depend on the program (Medicare, Medicaid, or ACA marketplaces). Benefits, premiums, deductibles, formularies, and provider networks vary by plan and location. Like other government-sponsored health plans, WellCare plans balance coverage breadth with cost-sharing and network restrictions, and CMS ratings provide comparative quality measures for Medicare options.